Holyoke marathoner runs in memory of her uncle

In an interesting twist, Holyoke's Rachael Colacino will run her first marathon in memory of the man who helped introduce her to the sport of running.

Colacino will run the Breakers Marathon in Newport, R.I., Oct. 18 in honor of her uncle, Gerald Levien, who succumbed to Alzheimer's in 2000. As a member of the Run for the Memory Team, the 32-year-old has already raised more than $5,000, with all of the proceeds going to the Alzheimer's Association.

"It's one thing to do a marathon, and anyone could probably do it with enough practice," Colacino said. "With all the time I was going to be putting into the race and training, I wanted it to have a little more meaning than have it be something for me."

And her first 26.2-miler will certainly carry plenty of meaning. As a youth growing up in upstate New York, Colacino's family was invited to a social event by her uncle. During the day, an announcement was made that there was going to be a race for 11- and 12-year-old girls. Even though she had never run competitively before, Colacino entered the race, which included three laps around two baseball backstops.

She won, and since that day, Colacino has considered herself a runner.

"I was hooked from there," she said.

Colacino knew one day she'd run a marathon. Last year, she decided 2008 would be the year. And after watching her uncle struggle and eventually die of Alzheimer's, she knew why she was going to run.

"My aunt took care of him," she said. "They had been married for 50 years and she was very devoted to him. They loved each other very much. I saw that. I work at a retirement community (Rockridge Retirement Community in Northampton), and part of our campus is dedicated to people with Alzheimer's, dementia and memory loss.

"Knowing my uncle Jerry and what he and my family went through, and also seeing what families here go through, they always turn to the Alzheimer's Association, and they are so hopeful. There is so much work being done out there, and this can possibly be cured. I wanted to be able to raise money for that, and awareness, too."

The fact that Colacino believes a cure will be found soon for Alzheimer's, and running for a cause, has made training for her marathon all the more worthwhile.

"If I have to get up early to run, or if I've had a long day at work, and I have to go out to run, I'm like, 'All these people have given me money, and they're counting on me'," said Colacino, who graduated with her master's degree from the University of Massachusetts in May. "I know my uncle Jerry knows what I'm doing. Having people believe in me enough to give money has really helped me get out there."

To make a donation, or for more information, go to

http://alzmass.kintera.org/rachaelcolacinorun.

DUTKIEWICZ RACES: The Ted Dutkiewicz Memorial Races will be held Saturday at Southwick-Tolland Regional High School. The event is in memory of longtime city high school cross country and track coach Ted Dutkiewicz.

The boys race is set for 9:30 a.m., followed by the girls at 10.

UPCOMING RACES: The Don Maynard Memorial 5 Miler is Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Greenfield Municipal Swimming Area ... On Sunday, the 5K Summit Run will start at 9:30 a.m. in South Hadley along Route 47. The race includes the 800-foot climb to the top of Mount Holyoke ... The Smith College Fall Fit 5K will also be held Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. at the Smith College athletic fields.

RACE RESULTS: The Somers Great Escape races drew another talented field Saturday. Kenya's Paul Mwangi won the 5K race in 15:37, while Claudia Camargo of Argentina was first overall in the 5-miler in 28:46 ... Rich Larsen (17:41) of Shelburne Falls and former Greenfield High great Maura McDonald (21:21) won the Jail Break 5K in Greenfield Saturday. Bill Wells can be reached 
at wellsb6@charter.net 